The Memory Bee

Still alive and well!

Just a quick post from the Philadelphia airport as I make my way to Lyon, France, to teach at Version Scrap this weekend. It's been a crazy couple of weeks... I'd say it will probably be one of the most memorable of my life in terms of significant events! I've been posting some pictures and updates on Facebook... it's quidker and easier when one's mind is spinning!

In the last two weeks we've welcomed Brandon and Alicia home from Kuwait and said a sad goodbye again as they returned. Actually I wasn't as awfully sad as usual since they should be home in about four months.

Of course, we had our Starbucks time!

Although it's really hard to see them return to such a miserable place, I'm thankful that they have each other and that I wasn't sending them to Afghanistan like many moms do.

The other even huger event is that Jeremy got an engineering job in San Jose, California and is moving there NEXT WEEK!! I'm so happy for him and so thankful for the opportunity, BUT he is leaving while I am still out of town! We had to say our goodbyes at the airport this morning as he saw ME off! It will be very difficult to not be there with him to help him get ready and make arrangements (a place to live, a car, how to get out there, etc.) but I am trusting that God knows just what he needs and what I need and has directed me and him all along in the timing of all this.

The other BIG event is that Jeremy and Rebecca got engaged over the weekend and will be getting married this summer! She is leaving this week also to return to her mom in North Carolina, so I had to say goodbye to her too! I couldn't be happier and more thankful for her and that God brought the two of them together.

Love this picture! We all win!! It's all good.

You can imagine all the emotions I have gone through! I appreciate all the prayers and well-wishes that I've gotten... it has been needed for sure!

I'll be back with a post next week when I return from France! Au revoir!

Happy Valentine's Day!

My roses have come from my Valentine over the last week or so instead of today... why celebrate just one day?! Today we exchanged cards and met at Bravo at the mall for dinner. Perfect!

The only thing that would have made the day better was to get to see the other men in my life but they have their own sweethearts now, so I have to share them!

Brandon and I had a little time together on Sunday at Starbucks with Jeremy and Rebecca.

He tried to explain the structure of his battalion to me again... the picture helps! I can't keep it all straight!

Then we were on to the mall and PF Changs for dinner with both families.

Yesterday they stopped over... this cracks me up... my office is the smallest room you can imagine and all 5 of us were in there at one time! Very cozy!

I'm sitting in my desk chair, Brandon and Alicia are on the floor, and you can see Dave and Jeremy's legs.

Yep, it sure is nice to have them here!!

Hope your day was filled with love!

The soldiers are finally home!

If you're my friend on Facebook, you've already seen most of these pictures, but I need to put them here too and write a little about it "for the record." Yesterday was a long day for us, waiting for Brandon and Alicia to get home, but a waaayyyy longer day for them! It took them about 5 days to get home... the dark circles under their eyes showed the strain of the long trip home but it sure is great to have them here finally. They didn't get in until after 11pm, so by the time we stopped at the grocery store and then talked and talked, it was after 3am when we finally got to bed. They're staying at a hotel... we're looking forward to seeing them eventually today!

I staked out a place by the window to catch the first glimpse of them as they rounded the corner of the concourse...

It makes me think of all the "stories" that are waiting at an airport as people anxiously await their loved ones...

Ohh, that squeeze felt good!! (He's pretty skinny though!)

He said he'd kill ME if I made a fuss so I was really happy that Alicia's mom brought balloons and a banner!

I'm happy that Alicia can be home with him too... that they have this time together and with us.

Our first stop on the way home was at Wegmans, our grocery store, since he didn't bring any toiletries home. He didn't buy too much food-wise... he said he sort of forgot what he likes!

As we were sitting on a bench by check-out, waiting for him to get his things, I looked down and found a gift from God... a penny... I always find them at just the right time! In God we trust. (I wish I'd turned the penny over for the photo, and what's up with how creepy my hand looks?) It was so perfectly appropriate for the moment, since it's our trust in God that has gotten us through the last months.

How cool is this mug for Dave's Starbucks mug collection?!!

I'm a happy girl... it's soo good to have them home...

Be still

Even I was surprised that a trip to the mall could provide me with just the "message" from God that I needed to hear yesterday!

You know that I love anything with bees on it and so, of course, this blazer had my NAME written all over it! It is just as cute as can "BEE!"

You know that I LOVE to shop, so yesterday I decided it was time to get out of the house and go to the mall and just do some wandering and browsing. I was feeling antsy... I'd read Stephanie Howell's beautifully eloquent blog post about loving a soldier and had a text message that woke me up early from Brandon and then the anticipation of him and Alicia coming home for two weeks R&R leave has had me on pins and needles.

The last few months of Brandon's deployment have been a roller coaster of emotions to say the least. Now as I think about him coming home tomorrow (I hope!) I'm filled with happiness and nervousness and a whole bunch of things! I'm going to be sooo happy to wrap my arms around him and give him a huge hug... he is the best hugger! I'll be sooo happy to go to Starbucks and have some time to talk face to face. But I'm also anxious about who he'll be... how has war changed him? Will I get to see him much? It's a unique situation because he's coming home with Alicia who is also a soldier who is coming home and they want and need time together. It's so different to love a soldier as a son than as a wife. I think many of the emotions in Stephanie's post are the same; I think as a mom though you have to take a step back and that can be hard to adjust to emotionally.

You probably know that I love clothes but it's not often that they "speak" to me, but I will wear and always remember that this honeybee jacket was sent to me just at the right time to remind me to "bee" still.

Psalm 46:11 says, "Be still, and know that I am God."

Have you ever gone through a verse word by word and thought about each word? This is a great verse to do that with. be... still... know... I... am... God.

My phone rang as I got to the mall and it was Brandon calling from Kuwait (I thought he was pulling my leg because I thought they were already in the US) to tell me that they hadn't gotten a flight out yet, but should be home Saturday.

I WILL be still and let things work out as they will... I'll hope and pray for some good time together and cherish every moment that I get!

Would you like to scrapbook with George Clooney?

Yes, me too! Maybe he'll stop by since he has a place in Lake Como! It was so nice to see Laura and all the other teachers for the Bellagio, Italy retreat in September last week in California! I'm here with Lisa Pace, Laura McCullough, and Stacey DeWid. Tammy Tutterow had to work at the Sissix booth.

Laura sent this message for us to pass along...

• Are you ready for an UNFORGETTABLE Experience?
• Would you like time away to RELAX & ENJOY beautiful Italy?
• Do you love to CREATE and be INSPIRED?
• How about combining ALL THE THINGS into a WONDERFUL week of PURE ENJOYMENT!

Well, "A Kiss on the Chic" is going to Bellagio, Italy and we want YOU to JOIN US!!!!

Yes, we are going to have a WEEK LONG event THIS September 15th~22nd, 2012 on the beautiful shores of Lake Como, Italy!

This event has been a DREAM of mine for the last few years! I am SO thrilled and honored to have such AMAZING teachers for this Event like Debby Schuh, Lisa Pace, Tammy Tutterow and Stacey DeWid and myself!

We will also be in one of the most BEAUTIFUL locations in the WORLD.   So, to have the chance to enjoy the gorgeous surroundings of Lake Como, sit and relax by the pool, walk the cobblestone streets of Bellagio AND be Inspired by the wonderful classes we have for you, it REALLY is going to be a "Once-in-a-lifetime" Event!

DEADLINE to sign up is March 1st, so make sure you SIGN UP SOON!

(IF YOU SIGN UP BEFORE FEBRUARY 15th, YOU WILL RECEiVE a $200 discount!!!!)

Here`s the site where you can find out ALL the information:

http://akissonthechic.blogspot.com/

The site also has beautiful pictures of the area PLUS....a VIDEO you MUST CHECK OUT!

SO go take a look, let us know what you think and tell you friends! This is going to be the "Ultimate Girlfriend Retreat" so find some friends to share this with and let`s have a GREAT time together in Italy!!!

Feel Free to e-mail Laura with any questions at: Laura@akissonthechic.com

SO, If you like CREATING, RELAXING and TRAVELING ......this is the event for you!

San Diego/Paper Tales weekend

It was an adventure to take the train from Anaheim to San Diego last Wednesday after the trade show was over! I owe a huge thank you to Lia for ride to the train station... I'm so glad we had a chance to catch up! The views from the train were awesome as it traveled along the coast. So beautiful!

All the little spots out in the water are people! I couldn't believe how many were out in the water... mostly surfing, I think!

I love how the sun was shining down onto the water... I always think it is heaven shining down!

Michelle and I had fun shopping on Thursday (and celebrating her birthday with her family!)

It's incredible to me to be able to see the city on one side and the ocean on the other... how lucky you San Diego gals are to live in such a beautiful place!

We had a yummy Mexican lunch in Ocean Beach and stopped in Vignettes. If I didn't have to carry it home, I would have bought some Annie Sloan paint there. It's the first time I've seen it in person and would love to try it sometime!

I often have people ask me about Paper Tales and what makes it such a special, successful store. Like all the other special stores where I teach regularly, it's a mix of the special people, the sense of community, the products that are so well-suited for the stores, and just a really nice, friendly vibe. How cool is it that you can just leave the door open to welcome everyone in!

Paper Tales is only 900 square feet but it is packed with interesting displays and goodies tucked in every knook and cranny! This spring they'll be moving across the parking lot to a larger space (where we had our classes) and it's going to be incredible! More to love!

I'm so thankful for all who came to my classes! You have no idea how much of a blessing you are to me! We had a special cupcake bar with cupcakes in canning jars... such a cute idea (thanks, Dawn!) We had very full house... thank you to everyone who made the weekend so special!

Can't wait to return!!

Even more to love! Part 2

Of course, one of my very favorite booths at the trade show is by October Afternoon. I love each of their new collections... I can't decide which one I like best!

Here's the fronts and backs and some coordinating product for the lines:

I think the first collection "Woodland Park" is my favorite but I like them all!

I can't wait to use the new Trousseau collection from 7gypsies in a class. It is just gorgeous! I wish I had taken more pictures! I spent so much time looking and chatting that I even forgot to get a catalog... I'll have to have them mail me one.

This inspiration board is straight out of Paula's home office! Isn't it fabulous?

I was pleasantly surprised to see the new travel papers from Remininsce. I'll be able to use these soon!

I LOVED the new Smash book from K&Co... it is huge! I don't have the measurements but it is something like 12"x 18" or bigger. I think it's such a fun size! I wouldn't be able to use it for a class, I don't think, but it sure is cool! It reminds me of the scrapbook I kept in high school.

Elizabeth Kartchner's new line with American Crafts is just darling. I'm looking forward to teaching with her in France soon! And it was great to see Ali Edwards and catch up on our families! (not sure what's up with my FLAT hair!! Time to fluff!!) :)

There was lots more that I liked... especially My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline collection and Follow Your Heart collection. It was hard to get photos that did it justice in the booth but I got samples and will show pictures of it when I get home.

Any requests for classes? What have you seen that you like?

Lots of new things to love! (part 1)

 

I would love to have had more time to enjoy the sunshine and blue skies of Southern California, but there wasn't time for that... there were lots of new products to see and people to catch up with!

Michelle and I started out together at the Melissa Frances booth. I loved so many things... here are some photos:

I loved Heidi Swapp's new collections... so many possibilities:

Pink Paislee had some of my favorite releases... She Art and London Market...

I must have those stamps! Barry and Rebecca sponsored my classes in South Africa this past September and I'm so grateful to them. It was wonderful to see Glenda and Lynn from SA at the show and have time to catch up!

Next up is Cosmo Cricket... I really liked their collections... especially the Tiny Text stickers:

Tim Holtz has some really cool new pieces in his Ideology collection (love the faucet handles!) and I love the possibilities of the new Ranger Distress markers! The samples in his booth are just amazing!

Laura Dennison made the first samples and Paula Cheney made the dress for the Ranger Designer Challenge. Isn't it the sweetest thing you've seen? The skirt print is made using Stickles! Paula even outdid herself on this!!

It was so nice to catch up with Tim and Mario and see Nicole!

Jenni Bowlin had lots to love in her booth! I really liked the stencil paper and the Wren Collection and the new stickers.

Amy Tan's new collection for American Crafts is colorful and fun! I loved using her last collection for one of my classes for Lyon, France, coming up soon and would love to use her new things for a class too.

I'll be back with more pictures... October Afternoon and 7gypsies and more! What have you seen so far that you'd like me to use in a class?